On the Rights of Man: A Commentary on Liber OZ Paperback – October 12, 2019

"Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law."Being highly critical of which Thelemic books I invest in, I purchased this book on the reputation of the material involved. As a practicing Thelemite for the last twenty-nine years, I came upon this book skeptical of any new material that may be offered. Most books are cut, copy, paste of previous books. I was excited about the topic, for sure. Liber OZ is one of my pillars of Thelemic thought, and I was anticipating new material with baited breath. I was not disappointed! This deep dive into this sacred piece was given respect and its full due. The book starts off with a refreshing documentation of the circumstances of the development of Liber OZ and Aleister Crowley's visit to America in October of 1914. The candid stories of Crowley's exploits are a welcoming , "secret" whispered into the ear of a trusted confidante". Tales I have not heard in other regurgitations over the years. The intimate stories proved Crowley was vulnerable to the same setbacks many of us are on the mystical path of public ritual and magick. The background details of Crowley's use of I-Ching was not surprising, but it was a refreshing reminder of the unique system he practiced throughout his life. It was great to have it detailed and confirmed, once again. Frater Orpheus digs into the Qabalah with panache and knowledge. He puts forth the basics of which many of us are familiar, while offering a few nuggets that I had not thought about before. The experienced Qabalist and/or Thelemite will tilt an ear at the ideas put forth here. The next section of the book offers wonderful drafts and versions of Liber OZ in all of its early forms which make the occult promulgator salivate. The details of the sizes and formats of the manifold versions of Liber OZ publications are something to take note and copy appropriately. I love the pictures Crowley was encouraged to include, thereby proving he was just another fanatic/ prophet with a dream and a message to give to humanity. The final portion of the book provides twenty-six translations of this revolutionary text that the reader may copy and promulgate at his/her will. We are the Thelemic pioneers! This book is a history book cloaked in a sword that may be used to pierce Thelema into the heart and conscience of all people upon the face of the Earth. (Even this description does not do justice to the infinite well of inspiration I have dug into reading this book.) Kudos to Frater Orpheus for dedicating himself to a deep dive into this simple, yet complex one page life changing tome. "Love is the law, love under will."

To ANYONE that would find this book tedious or boring, it may be time to personally take a look inward, to your true or secret self, and your level of personal actions or thoughts. Frater Orpheus' "On the Rights of Man" is a carefully constructed, well researched and thought out timeline on the same caliber of seriousness of thought that The BEAST, gave, to "Liber OZ." It is of the same historical importance as was the many letters, notes, journals, pictures, and copies included. It is surely an induced heaved labor intensive dedication of love rarely seen clearly. It is an accurate and simple representation on the thought everyone should attain, your force is capable of real actual change in your life, therein massively affecting others around you. Be silent and still, become your OWN MASTER, the weak need not apply.I feel it should be used as a companion to reading "Liber OZ," especially to those who are seeking out their "True Will."

The depth of research and scholarship that went into this volume is amazing. When I first encountered the OTO, it was common to find fly sheets with Liber Oz and Grand Lodge contact information slipped into bookstore copies of Aleister Crowley's works. Liber Oz is short and intriguing and Frater Orpheus has produced a volume that explores not only the meaning but the history and evolution of Crowley's statement the rights of man. That such a thorough volume can result from a single page is a testament to Aleister Crowley's insight and Frater Orpheus' scholarship.

Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law. It would have taken me YEARS to get so much juice out of Liber Oz! Very well written, packed with historical context and beautiful old publications, lot of material as food-for-thought... All in all: delightful! Love is the law, love under will.

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